Rodney Gibbs

Rodney Gibbs
is chief product officer of The Texas Tribune, where he is responsible for defining the Tribune's digital roadmap and strategy. Leading collaborations between editorial, engineering and design, he oversees a portfolio of products that bolster the Tribune’s position as a leader in journalism, user engagement and innovation. Over his 25-year career, he has helped broadcast and digital media companies navigate disruptive transitions and adapt to new platforms and audiences. Rodney founded and sold two digital media companies and has served on a number of boards—including KLRU, KUT/KUTX, Austin Film Society, The International Game Developers Association and Big Brothers Big Sisters. Outside of work, he’s passionate about travel, film, record collecting and swimming holes. Rodney has a BA from Rice University and a MFA from The University of Texas at Austin.

With Gov. Rick Perry threatening to call lawmakers back for a third special session if they don't pass a transportation bill by the end of July, we kick off this week's news-inspired playlist with "Three is the Magic Number," by De La Soul.

Garza served as the U.S. ambassador to Mexico from 2002 to 2009. He had previously served as chairman of the Texas Railroad Commission, as the Texas secretary of state and as a Cameron County judge. A South Texas native, he currently serves as counsel in the Mexico City office of White & Case LLP and as chairman of Vianovo Ventures, a management consultancy. This event was recorded before a live audience in Austin on April 18, 2013. Our TribLive events feature discussions with our honored guests followed by questions from the audience. For more information on Tribune events, please visit http://www.texastribune.org/events/.

Ken Starr became the 14th president of Baylor University in June 2010. Before coming to Waco, he was the dean and a professor of law at Pepperdine University, where he taught current constitutional issues and civil procedure. Starr has argued 36 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, including 25 cases during his tenure as solicitor general of the United States from 1989-93. He also served as U.S. judge for the District of Columbia Circuit from 1983 to 1989, as law clerk to Chief Justice Warren Burger from 1975-77 and as law clerk to U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge David W. Dyer from 1973 to 1974. This event was recorded before a live audience in Austin on April 29, 2013. Our TribLive events feature discussions with our honored guests followed by questions from the audience. For more information on Tribune events, please visit http://www.texastribune.org/events/.

Todd Staples has served as Texas' agriculture commissioner since 2007. Before that, he served as a state representative for House District 11 from 1997-2000 and as a state senator for Senate District 3 from 2001-2005. He has announced his intention to run for lieutenant governor in 2014. A former rancher and businessman, Staples graduated with honors from Texas A&M University with a bachelor's degree in agricultural economics. This event was recorded before a live audience in Austin on May 2, 2013. Our TribLive events feature discussion with our honored guests followed by questions from the audience. For more information on Tribune events, please visit http://www.texastribune.org/events/.

With the way Texas pays for its roads under the spotlight this session, Sen. Robert Nichols and state Rep. Larry Phillips joined Tribune reporter Aman Batheja for a conversation about transportation. This event was recorded before a live audience in Austin on April 4, 2013. TribLives feature moderated discussion with our honored guests followed by questions from the audience. For more information on Tribune events, please visit http://www.texastribune.org/events/.

Francisco Cigarroa, chancellor of The University of Texas System, and John Sharp, chancellor of The Texas A&M University System, join Evan Smith, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of The Texas Tribune, in a conversation about higher education and the future of Texas' largest two university systems. This event was recorded before a live audience in Austin on March 28, 2013. TribLives feature moderated discussion with our honored guests followed by questions from the audience. For more information on Tribune events, please visit http://www.texastribune.org/events/.

In his State of the State address on Tuesday, Gov. Rick Perry touted the $10,000 bachelor's degrees at Texas universities he called for two years ago. Now that they exist, how can cash-strapped Texas students access them?

Texas Education Commissioner Michael Williams joins Evan Smith, CEO of The Texas Tribune, in conversation about the state's public schools. This event was recorded before a live audience in Austin on January 10, 2013. TribLives feature moderated discussion with our honored guests followed by questions from the audience. For more information on Tribune events, please visit http://www.texastribune.org/events/.

This is the full audio of Evan Smith's December 6, 2012 conversation with state Sen. Kel Seliger, R-Amarillo, the chairman of the Senate Higher Education Committee. It was recorded during a TribLive event at the Austin Club in Austin, Texas.